Troops opened fire on political protesters near the presidential palace in Antananarivo, the national capital, on Saturday. Reports indicate that thirty people died and many more were wounded. As a result, the country's defense minister, Cecile Manorohonta, has resigned, saying the violence to weighed on her conscience.
Ever since opposition leader Andry Rajoelina publicly challenged President Marc Ravalomanana and urged others to do the same, violence has escalated. The military involvement in the latest killings will likely either cause the government to temper its stance against opposition or will merely accelerate its intransigence. And how often do governments temper their stance once this sort of blood has been shed.